London is set to host ceremonial processions through the streets of London this week, although likely with a different tone to that inspired by Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector and the first (perhaps not the last) commoner to become head of state in Britain.

Cromwell was a key figure in the trial and execution of King Charles I. This was the first time that a monarch had been deposed and put on trial by his own people, as opposed to being simply deposed by a rival royal. It has been argued that this helped establish a legal precedent that heads of state were answerable to the law and their people – an important principle that led to the existence of the International Criminal Court and War Crimes Tribunals.

Today, many are asking whether the precedent set by having a commoner as our head of state, rather than someone who simply inherits the title, is a fairer way to run our country. Nobody is advocating civil war or execution, but it surely makes sense that a democratic state ought to have a democratically elected leader.

The Cromwell Museum’s role is not to praise or condemn Cromwell. He is a controversial figure to many and they see their role as simply to present the facts and various interpretations of his life, telling his story 'warts and all' and allow visitors to make their own minds up about him. 

Image: with thanks to the Cromwell Museum and Art UK, shared under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-SA). The image is available to view online here.